The Ohio University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center will release its Faces of Pride posters for 2009, featuring 15 LGBT students and faculty members and 20 LGBT allies, today as a part of Pride Week.
This year, for the first time, Faces of Pride will feature OU President Roderick McDavis as an LGBT ally.
Having the president on the posters sends a very clear message of his support for diversity
particularly of LGBT people and how they contribute to diversity on campus said Mickey Hart, director of the LGBT Center
Hart said he did not remember when the LGBT Center began asking OU administrators to be a part of Faces of Pride, but he noticed there had a been a progression in past years leading to McDavis' inclusion.
I believe that in order to continue to foster that welcoming environment each one of us needs to support diversity
not as an initiative
but as a commitment that we renew each and every day. Standing as an ally is just one way to achieve that
McDavis said in an e-mail.
The LGBT Center began producing Faces of Pride Posters in 2002 after being inspired by a similar project at Kenyon College to raise awareness of LGBT discrimination.
Wesley Allen, a sophomore studying theater, said he thinks McDavis being featured on the posters is a good idea.
I think it just shows that people don't have to be afraid to be themselves here at OU
Allen said. I think it's good for other people to see it and know that they can be out and be proud and if they need help
other people will help them. You can look at a poster and see that.
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